Marble is the result of the metamorphosis of sedimentary
rock, usually limestone. The process causes the original mineral grains to
recrystallize and the resulting rock, marble, is characterized by swirls and
veins of colour.
Perhaps the most highly prized colour of
marble is white, and there are a variety of sources for it, including:
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Carrara.
Arguably the most famous of all marble, it is quarried in Tuscany, Italy. Carrara marble is typically white or
blue-grey. Michelangelo used Carrara
marble in his carving ‘David'.
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Georgia
marble is from Pickens County.
The region produces a wide variety of colours of high quality, including
white sanctuary marble.
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Parian
marble from the Greek island of Paros, in the Aegean Sea,
was highly prized by the Greeks for sculpting. Its quarries were active
from the 6th century onwards, and the colour is a translucent
pure white.
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Vermont
Marble is quarried in several locations around the town of Proctor. The white marble has long been prized by
architects and the town itself boasts both a marble museum and marble
sidewalks.
A stone with
many uses
White marble is translucent, almost milky, and soft looking.
That quality of waxiness, coupled with its resistance to shattering, makes it
preferred by sculptors. The white stone is also popular for ornamentation in
building interiors, and graces cathedrals and great public buildings.
However, marble comes in many other colours as well,
and is increasingly used in home décor. Its durability and resilience is a
large factor in that popularity. Couple that with its ease of polishing, and
its coolness in hot months, and you have the perfect stone for flooring. As a
countertop,
marble's merits include its polish, which renders it bacteria-resistant. Every
piece of marble is unique and creates an aura of originality. In addition, it
conveys an element of prestige that is not surprising, given its pedigree in
sculptures and notable buildings.
The cost
consideration
Marble does cost more than other materials used in
flooring and counters. This drawback is countered by its positive effect on a
home's resale value. Marble suggest wealth and prestige and its durability
means that the investment will not diminish with time or use. It is useful,
however, to consider carefully where the marble is to be located. Although it
has health advantages as a countertop, and a coolness that is ideal for rolling
dough, marble can also nick and scratch. A cutting board is essential. As
flooring, its chief drawback is that the polished stone is very slippery when
wet. That's a consideration for any area with water or moisture, bathrooms in
particular. The stone can be honed to aid traction. In addition,
do-it-yourselfers may meet their Waterloo
should they try installing marble themselves. It is heavy, cumbersome, and when
it used in the form of tiles, it is exceptionally difficult to match its
striations in a pleasing way.
A good dealer can make the purchase and installation of marble easy. There are many companies
that deal with flooring and counters. However, remember, marble is not just any
stone, and stone is not just any flooring. It's essential to find a specialist.